Irresponsible party girl Maggie is kicked out of her father's and stepmother's home—where she lives for free—and is taken in by her hard-working sister, Philadelphia lawyer Rose. After Maggie's disruptive ways ruin her sister's love life, Rose turns her out as well. But when their grandmother, who they never knew existed, comes into their lives, the sisters face some complicated truths about themselves and their family.
Acting
Toni Collette's breakdown in the car—Academy, explain yourself.
Writing
The e.e. cummings poem scene actually lands, somehow.
Costume
Maggie's chaotic clubwear vs Rose's sad lawyer suits.
Director
Curtis Hanson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cameron Diaz spent months learning to believably portray dyslexia; she also did her own singing in the karaoke scenes.
The film quietly revolutionized the 'chick flick' by letting its women be genuinely unlikable before their redemption arcs—rare for 2005.
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